Plans re-submitted for new Aldi store in village

Elmbridge Borough Council rejected Aldi's initial proposal in 2022 due to the impact on nearby homes, buildings and conservation area

A German supermarket chain has launched another attempt to open a store in a Surrey village after planners rejected its first application.

Aldi has submitted revamped plans for the site, which was the former Guy Salmon Jaguar Land Rover showroom, on Portsmouth Road, Thames Ditton.

The previous application was rejected by Elmbridge Borough Council in 2022 and also rejected on appeal.

Aldi's latest proposals include demolishing the existing buildings and replacing them with a predominantly single story brickwork structure, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

According to planning documents, Aldi stated "a new landscaping scheme obscures the building in views from the conservation area, protecting the character and charm of Giggs Hill Green".

It added a green wall would be on one side of the store to "reduce the impact on neighbouring homes".

The document also stated about 40 jobs could be created with the proposed supermarket, installation of a signal pedestrian crossing and footway improvements on Portsmouth Road.

The previous application was turned down by the council because of its impact on nearby homes, buildings and the conservation area while residents compared the proposed building design to an "alien spaceship".

A public consultation, which was launched in December 2024 to get feedback on the new proposals, closes on 5 September.